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Neuse River Big Band Holiday Concert at GPAC. Dec 10th 3pm and 7:30pm Shows

Witness the talents of 20 volunteer musicians in The Neuse River Big Band. These NC Triangle area artists will have your toes tapping during an unforgettable trip down memory lane along with some of your favorite holiday tunes. Inspired by the Big Band era, they perform timeless favorites from artists such as the Glenn Miller Orchestra, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and more.

Witness the talents of 20 volunteer musicians in The Neuse River Big Band. These NC Triangle area artists will have your toes tapping during an unforgettable trip down memory lane along with some of your favorite holiday tunes. Inspired by the Big Band era, they perform timeless favorites from artists such as the Glenn Miller Orchestra, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and more.

IMPORTANT EVENT NOTES

  • Seating for this performance is general admission.

  • A zip-code radius limit of 250 miles is in place for online sales to all of our shows. If you live further than 250 miles, please contact our box office at 919-661-4602 to purchase tickets.

  • The use of face masks is optional for all patrons and staff, regardless of vaccination status.

  • The health and safety of our patrons, performers and staff is our top priority. Should any of our health and safety guidelines change prior to a show, ticket holders will be notified as soon as possible.

  • Wheelchair and handicapped accessible seating is available. Please call 919-661-4602 if you need further assistance or complete the online request below.

  • Cash only concessions will be available.

Garner Performing Arts Center

December 10, 2022

3:00 PM
Doors Open: 2:30 PM


December 10, 2022

7:30 PM

Doors Open: 7:00 PM

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August 21st at the Garner Performing Arts Center: Premiere of "Home, with Honor" (a documentary)

We hope you can join us on Sunday, Aug. 21 at 3 p.m. at Garner Performing Arts Center for the premiere of "Home, with Honor." It's a 25-minute documentary film about the impact of the visit of The Wall That Heals on the Garner community.

We hope you can join us on Sunday, Aug. 21 at 3 p.m. at Garner Performing Arts Center for the premiere of "Home, with Honor." It's a 25-minute documentary film about the impact of the visit of The Wall That Heals on the Garner community.

The film features the more than 250 Vietnam veterans who participated in The Walk to the Wall, the U.S. Marine 2D Aircraft Wing Band, the 82nd Airborne Division All-America chorus, Vietnam chaplain Dr. James Johnson, U.S. Marine Col. Lee Meyer, Medal of Honor recipient Col. Joe Marm and Broadway star Craig Schulman.

Organizers plan to have gifts for attending Vietnam veterans

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Garner's Station #25 - Towne Players Youth Theater Camp

Communications Manager Rick Mercier is joined by cast members Alena Lewis and Ethan Underhill of the Towne Players of Garner's production of "Moana Jr." Also joining is Towne Players' alumnus Gabe Yarborough.

Communications Manager Rick Mercier is joined by cast members Alena Lewis and Ethan Underhill of the Towne Players of Garner's production of "Moana Jr." Also joining is Towne Players' alumnus Gabe Yarborough.

They discuss the what interested them in performing arts, preparing for their roles, and growing up with music and theatre. Get your tickets for "Moana Jr." Aug. 11-13 by visiting GarnerPerformingArtsCenter.com.

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Willie Bradley Graces The Garner Performing Arts Center April 29th

Bold, edgy, yet simultaneously charming and beautiful, well-describe the music of artist/trumpeter Willie Bradley.

Bold, edgy, yet simultaneously charming and beautiful, well-describe the music of artist/trumpeter Willie Bradley.

Considered a go-to musician for many of soul music greats, his music has made the Smooth Jazz Billboard Charts and has been added to Smooth Jazz Radio Stations like Pandora, Spotify and iHeart Radio.

Willie has performed at numerous high profile shows around the country including multiple jazz festivals and has played in the brass section with RJ & The Original James Brown Band touring abroad in France, Osaka and Tokyo.

His newest CD project “Going With The Flow”, brings together award winning producer Preston Glass and a cast of stellar musicians with varied styles. His musical talents are guaranteed to be savored by all.

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Arts & Entertainment Staff Arts & Entertainment Staff

The Easter Bunny is Coming to Town

Come see the Easter Bunny and hunt for eggs!

Come Join Garner and our Spring Eggstravaganza!

Saturday, April 9th 2022

Lake Benson Park
10 a.m - 12:30 p.m.

The Easter Bunny is coming to Garner!

We have two exciting opportunities scheduled for you to meet the Easter Bunny. Join us at the Bunny Hop on April 8 from 6-7pm at the Garner Recreation Center for dinner, crafts, photos and an egg hunt. Pre-registration is required at https://garner.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail....

You can also catch the bunny on April 9 at the Spring Eggstravaganza event at Lake Benson Park from 10am-12:30pm. This is a free community wide event that will include, games, egg hunts, crafts, music, food trucks and more!

For more information about these and other events and programs, visit GarnerNC.gov/parks


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Arts & Entertainment Staff Arts & Entertainment Staff

Garner Showcase of Talent, February 26th

Garner proves once again that “we’ve got talent.” Come see your family, friends, coworkers and neighbors take the stage as Garner residents sing, dance and perform a FREE show! The Garner Showcase of Talent is where Scotty McCreery, Arlie Honeycutt and many other performers honed their skills before moving on to bigger stages. Make sure you’re in the audience for this Garner tradition. You just might see the stars of tomorrow before they make it big!

Garner proves once again that “we’ve got talent.” Come see your family, friends, coworkers and neighbors take the stage as Garner residents sing, dance and perform a FREE show!

The Garner Showcase of Talent is where Scotty McCreery, Arlie Honeycutt and many other performers honed their skills before moving on to bigger stages. Make sure you’re in the audience for this Garner tradition. You just might see the stars of tomorrow before they make it big!

Free Admission

Garner Performing Arts Center
742 W. Garner Road Garner, North Carolina 27529

3pm and 7pm

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Arts & Entertainment Staff Arts & Entertainment Staff

Garner Christmas Parade Returns December 18th at 9:30am on Main Street

This year’s parade will go down Main Street only and highlight “Tradition. Community. Home.”

This year’s Garner Christmas Parade will be a little smaller and unlike previous years will not travel down Garner Road and Main Street but will only travel down Main Street.

Schedule of Events

8:30am Pre-Parade Food and Activities (More information coming soon!)

  • Funnel Cakes by Tonio on Purvis St.

8:30am Parade Participant Staging

9:30am Parade Start Time  

10:45am Parade End Time             

Route and Parking

This year’s parade will travel down Main Street only.

There will be no parade activities or parking along Garner Road. There will be designated parking areas around downtown (see maps below)

For more information on parking visit GarnerChristmasParade.com

IMPORTANT: For you and your family’s safety, Do Not Cross the Railroad Tracks to get to Main Street at any point other than designated crossing locations at Highway 50, St. Mary’s Street, and New Rand Road. New fencing along Main Street cannot be climbed.

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Garner Firemen’s Festival October 2nd

Food – BBQ Plates, Hot dogs, Fries, Chick-fil-a Sandwiches, Funnel Cakes, and Bake Sale

Entertainment – Inflatable Bounce House & Slide, Rock Climbing Wall, Kids Firefighter Combat Challenge, Public Safety Education Center, Hot Car Display, Spot the Tot Rug, Fire Safety House, Moose the Fire Dog, and 50 vendors will be in attendance

October 2, 2021

Located at Garner Fire Station 1
(Benson Rd. & Main St.)


 Schedule of Events

Start Time: 11:00 am                                                 

End Time: 6:00 pm

Food – BBQ Plates, Hot dogs, Fries, Chick-fil-a Sandwiches, Funnel Cakes, and Bake Sale

Entertainment – Inflatable Bounce House & Slide, Rock Climbing Wall, Kids Firefighter Combat Challenge, Public Safety Education Center, Hot Car Display, Spot the Tot Rug, Fire Safety House, Moose the Fire Dog, and 50 vendors will be in attendance

Schedule of Events

12:00 – 12:25:  Christy’s DancExplosion, “Feet on Fire” Performance

12:30 – 12:55:  Snap Kick Martial Arts Demonstration

1:00 – 1:25:  Garner Magnet High School (GMHS) Cheerleaders Performance

2:00 – 2:45:  Parade – Route starts at W. Garner & Benson Road towards New Rand Road and returns to the fire station on Main Street

3:00 – 3:25:  Live Fire Demonstration – National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA) Side-By-Side Burn Trailer

3:25 – 3:30:  Remarks from Mike Causey, North Carolina Commissioner of Insurance and State Fire Marshal

3:30 – 6:00:  Live Music Concert from “The Antique Outlaws”

6:00 – 6:05:  Drawing for 50/50 Raffle


Parking Information

There is parking available within walking distance of event.

There is also Parking available at First Baptist Church – 601 St. Marys St.
With Shuttle Bus Service to front door of event.

Look for the Signs

The Garner News Fireman Festival 1.png
The Garner News Fireman Festival 2.png
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Garner: Art Around Town

The Downtown Garner Association is pleased to present Art Around Town, a community-driven public art project that uses painting to illustrate community and natural beauty and bring joy, healing and civic engagement.

The Downtown Garner Association is pleased to present Art Around Town, a community-driven public art project that uses painting to illustrate community and natural beauty and bring joy, healing and civic engagement.

The original concept for Art Around Town was proposed by Lorie Clark, Cultural Arts & Events Manager for the Town of Garner at the Garner Performing Arts Center. In partnership with the Downtown Garner Association, Clark wants to create an opportunity for artists from all levels of mastery and different walks of life to create art that would uplift and bring the community together during a challenging time.

The Garner News Art 1.jpeg

Since March, the DGA Arts Committee has been working with Clark and community artists to bring the project to life. Following a call for artists in May, selected artists received materials and stipends to paint concepts inspired by Garner’s natural beauty and community values. The artists has one month to paint a 3’x4′ plywood canvas, which was then sealed for outdoor display.

This year’s exhibit features 23 canvases painted by artists from Garner and Raleigh on display from mid-August through November. The artwork is displayed outdoors in Downtown Garner and at select park locations for 24/7 viewing on a walkable loop. Coming out of a year of quarantining and isolation, the Downtown Garner Association wanted to create an exhibit that could be accessible to all despite any COVID restrictions.

“Public art is a priority in our economic development strategy for Downtown Garner,” said Mari Howe, downtown development manager for the Town of Garner. “The Downtown Garner Association knows the power of art to create a sense of community, to empower people, and to inspire pride in Garner. We wanted to find a way to support artists and raise awareness of Garner’s arts community. Art Around Town has been a great pilot program for doing both of those things.”

At the end of the exhibit, the Downtown Garner Association will auction the artwork, with 75 percent of the profit going to the original artist. The auction will take place online in late November–more details coming soon!

For more information about Art Around Town, please contact Mari Howe at mhowe@garnernc.gov.a

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Garner PRCR's Lorie Clark Receives Margaret Rigg Social Justice Award

Town of Garner Cultural Arts and Events Manager Lorie Clark has received the 2021 Margaret Rigg Social Justice Award, which recognizes an alumna who has demonstrated committed service in the advancement of gender and family justice since graduation from Eckerd College.

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Town of Garner Cultural Arts and Events Manager Lorie Clark has received the 2021 Margaret Rigg Social Justice Award, which recognizes an alumna who has demonstrated committed service in the advancement of gender and family justice since graduation from Eckerd College.

Clark has worked for social justice in the Chapel Hill–Carrboro community of North Carolina for more than two decades. As a high school specialist to the Blue Ribbon Mentor-Advocate Program (BRMA) in the Chapel Hill–Carrboro City Schools for 18 years, she provided opportunities for student growth with a social justice focus. In BRMA, she created experiences for students of color that empowered them to succeed in spaces not originally welcoming to them.

She also was the adviser of BRMA’s Youth Leadership Institute, serving 100 students of all races each year. Under Lorie’s guidance, the Blue Ribbon Leadership Institute was the third-largest extracurricular program in the school district and earned the University of North Carolina’s University Diversity Award. 

"I am delighted and humbled to be this year’s recipient of the Eckerd College Margaret Rigg Social Justice Award," Clark said. "I believe my family's commitment to service and the experiences at Eckerd College prepared me for a life of service to others."  

In her current role as youth adviser to the Chapel Hill–Carrboro NAACP Council, Lorie worked with students to organize peaceful protests in support of the changes asked by the Black Lives Matter movement. With homemade posters, students marched—socially distant and masked—in summer’s heat with community leaders from Chapel Hill–Carrboro’s NAACP and local churches.

Lorie’s work for social justice extends beyond the school system. She founded The Hannah Ruth Foundation to honor her maternal and paternal grandmothers, who have deep roots in Chapel Hill and Carrboro. By bringing together the youth and the elderly, bonds are built between generations, as bridges to the future. The youth learn about the elderly through service—including holiday meal delivery and organizing events such as a formal Valentine’s Day dance and a holiday party for seniors.

Lorie’s service has been recognized by many organizations, including the Chapel Hill–Carrboro NAACP and National Council of Negro Women. Among numerous awards for her community service, the Pauli Murray Service Award, given to Lorie in 2019 by the Orange County Human Rights Commission, is particularly significant. Born in the Jim Crow era, Pauli Murray—poet, writer, activist, labor organizer, legal theorist and Episcopal priest—overcame obstacles during her youth in nearby Durham, North Carolina. In learning about her, one student wrote that Murray reminded her of Lorie Clark: “Ahead of her time, and behind the scenes.”

Lorie began her employment with the Garner Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department in January of 2020 as the Cultural Arts and Events Manager.  

Learn more about this award program.

Courtesy Town of Garner

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CALLING ALL ARTISTS FOR ART AROUND TOWN

Art Around Town is a community art project for the residents of Garner and artists from surrounding areas to participate in a temporary art exhibit that will illustrate community and natural beauty and bring joy, healing, and civic engagement.

The Garner News - Garner Art.png

CALL FOR ARTISTS

The Downtown Garner Association (DGA) and the Town of Garner are looking for local and regional visual artists to participate in an outdoor Art Around Garner art installation beginning August – October 2021.

Art Around Town  is a community art project for the residents of Garner and artists from surrounding areas to participate in a temporary art exhibit that will illustrate community and natural beauty and bring joy, healing, and civic engagement.

  • Artists will be required to submit their “Art Around Garner” idea, concept, or theme of painting at the time of application.

  • DGA will hold an artists interest meeting on May 13 at 6:30pm via Zoom.

  • Twenty local and regional artists will be selected to participate.*

  • $50-100 material stipends are available upon request.

  • Artists will be notified if their artwork is accepted and where it will be located.

  • Painting must be completed by July 1.

  • *This is not a juried exhibit; however, artwork not consistent with the theme will not be accepted.

SPECS & INSTALLATION

Artists will be provided with a 3′ x 4′ board to paint.  Acrylic paint is recommended and pieces will be varnished by the exhibit coordinators to be weather safe.

The art will be on display August through October 2021 at the following proposed pedestrian-friendly locations including Town Hall, Garner Senior Center, Garner Rec Center (GRC), Garner Performing Arts Center, and other locations around downtown and town parks.

AUCTION

Upon completion of the exhibit, the art will be auctioned with 75% of the proceeds going to  the respective artists and 25% to DGA to benefit future art projects throughout the Town of Garner.
The exact time, location and date of auction is yet to be determined but anticipated for November 2021.

INQUIRIES

Questions from artists should be directed to Lorie Clark at lclark@garnernc.gov.

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